Team USA basketball says size issue is no big deal

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Olympic basketball team is tired of questions about its size.

Instead of being called too small, the Americans would prefer to be known as versatile, quick, athletic, or something else that recognizes their strengths and not their, uh, shortcomings.

U.S. men's national basketball team center Tyson Chandler dunks the ball during a practice Sunday, July 15, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Tyson Chandler is the only natural center on the US roster. That could be a problem against a team such as Brazil, their opponent in an exhibition game Monday. The Brazilians have NBA size along their front line with Nene of the Washington Wizards, Cleveland's Anderson Varejao and San Antonio's Tiago Splitter.

But the Americans believe they will overcome that with a versatile roster of players big enough to guard taller opponents and too quick to be defended by them.